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Juventus say Claudio Marchisio injury not as bad as first feared

Juventus have played down the extent of the knee injury suffered by Claudio Marchisio after Italy medical staff claimed the midfielder would not play again this season.

Marchisio was ruled out of Italy’s European Qualifier away to Bulgaria on Saturday after undergoing an MRI scan which was said to have revealed a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament injury that would keep him out of action for up to six months.

However, he could now be back playing within a matter of weeks after Juventus announced the injury is not as bad as first thought.

"After returning from international duty on Friday afternoon, Claudio Marchisio underwent medical examinations conducted by Juventus' club doctors and Dr Flavio Quaglia," said a club statement.

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"The 29-year-old then underwent an MRI scan on his right knee this evening (Friday). The tests, supervised by Dr Carlo Faletti at Turin's Fornaca Clinic, ruled positive, excluding the possibility of a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament.

"Marchisio will now rest and his condition is to be monitored on a day-to-day basis."

Marchisio himself tweeted: "I received so many good luck wishes from people, but it turns out the situation is a lot better than we imagined!"

Italy doctor Enrico Castellacci said on Friday morning that Marchisio "suffered a right knee injury by himself during a warm-up" during a training session.

Although Marchisio will be ruled out of Saturday's game in Sofia, as well as the friendly against England in Turin on Tuesday, he is likely to be available next month as Juventus look to seal a fourth consecutive Serie A crown.

Juventus hold a 14-point lead over closest challengers Roma with 10 games remaining in the season.